Gubernatorial challenger Jack Hatch’s father dies

CEDAR RAPIDS - The father of Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch has died.

'This is a sad time for my family,” Hatch, a state senator from Des Moines, said Monday.

His father, Frank, 95, died of natural causes Sunday at Stockbridge, Mass.

Hatch said he had last seen his father in June and knew at that time he was not in good health.

Frank Hatch was a World War II Army veteran, a captain in the 87th Airborne Division. He retired from the Reserve in 1954.

Hatch's father was preceded in death by his mother, Joanne Fitzpatrick Hatch.

Funeral arrangements are pending at National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Gov. Terry Branstad offered his condolences Monday.

'My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Hatch and his family at this time,” Branstad said.